Cessationism Rewritten: The Lost History of the Reformation
Sep 12, 2024
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Ryan Denton, a Presbyterian minister and church planter, delves into the intriguing history of cessationism during the Protestant Reformation. He reveals how key figures like Knox and Rutherford believed in spiritual gifts such as prophecy and healing, contrasting them with today’s cessationists. Denton discusses the evolution of these beliefs, highlighting the nuances of divine revelation and how historical contexts shaped theological debates. This enlightening conversation challenges modern perceptions of the supernatural within Christianity.
Modern cessationism significantly differs from historical perspectives, particularly the openness to supernatural experiences among early Protestant Reformers like John Knox.
Historical figures such as George Wishart and Samuel Rutherford exemplified belief in ongoing divine communication through dreams and insights beyond scripture.
The Westminster Confession of Faith highlights that while new revelations should not contradict scripture, God can still provide contextually relevant insights.
Deep dives
Introduction to Cessationism and Hyper Cessationism
Cessationism is a belief that spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and healing, were specific to the apostolic age and have since ceased. This viewpoint contrasts with hyper cessationism, which asserts an even stricter stance that denies any possibility of God revealing Himself through means outside of Scripture. The discussion emphasizes that many historic cessationists acknowledge ongoing divine revelation in non-infallible forms, a nuance often overlooked in contemporary debates. The conversation explores these different perspectives, setting the stage for further examination and analysis.
Ryan Denton’s Perspective on Cessationism
Ryan Denton articulates his view that contemporary understandings of cessationism differ significantly from historical perspectives. He highlights the experiences of early Reformed theologians who recognized God’s communicative acts through dreams, visions, and insights beyond the written Scriptures. This viewpoint suggests a more flexible interpretation of cessationism, contesting notions that equate all forms of revelation with the canonical authority of Scripture. By citing scholars like Garnett Howard Milney, he suggests that historic cessationists understood spiritual gifts in a way that allows for ongoing divine communication, albeit not in the same capacity as biblical authors.
Clarifying Terms: Continuationism and Cessationism
The conversation distinguishes between cessationism, continuationism, and hyper cessationism, illustrating their respective beliefs about spiritual gifts and revelation. Cessationism typically holds that miraculous gifts have ceased, while continuationism maintains that such gifts continue today but do not equate to biblical authority. Hyper cessationism takes a more restrictive stance, arguing that no miraculous gifts or revelations occur post-apostolic age. The definitions provided reveal a spectrum of beliefs and underscore the importance of carefully understanding the historical context behind these terms.
Historical Examples of Spiritual Revelation
Denton references historical figures like John Knox and George Wishart, who reported personal revelations that aligned with biblical principles and were used to predict significant events. These examples highlight the belief among early theologians that God could still reveal insights about contemporary circumstances through non-scriptural means. Such revelations were seen as valuable for guidance and discernment while remaining subordinate to the authority of Scripture. This historical evidence sparks a reconsideration of current cessationist views, suggesting that earlier theologians embraced a more dynamic understanding of divine communication.
The Westminster Confession and its Implications
The Westminster Confession of Faith serves as a foundational document in the cessationist debate, particularly its statements on revelation and Scripture's sufficiency. Section 6 emphasizes that no new revelations should contradict or add to Scripture, a principle that both cessationists and continuationists can agree upon regarding the authority of Scripture. However, the dialogue asserts that this does not preclude circumstantial revelation that aligns with biblical teachings. Hence, it suggests that God can still communicate insights applicable to specific situations without undermining the Scriptures' sufficiency or authority.
Were the cessationists of the Protestant Reformation the same as those today? Ryan Denton, a Presbyterian minister and church planter, suggests that modern cessationism differs significantly from the cessationism of the Protestant Reformation. Denton argues, through historical examination, that many Protestant Reformers, particularly the Scottish Presbyterians, experienced supernatural power. Leaders such as George Wishart, John Knox, Alexander Peden, and Samuel Rutherford believed in gifts like prophecy, healing, and more. Tune in to discover how the Reformers were more open to the gifts of the Spirit than many in today's cessationist movement.
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